Celebrating 10 Years Of UNESCO Global Geoparks

On March 5, 2025 UNESCO celebrated the 10th anniversary of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, UNESCO’s flagship programme in Earth Sciences. For a decade, these geoparks have been revealing Earth’s most extraordinary geological heritage. Everything ranging from towering stone forests to volcanic craters are included in this list of 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks spread across 40 countries.

What Are Geoparks? 

Geoparks are sites that are living records of our planet’s evolution, carved by time, and shaped by geological forces. They are single, unified geographical areas that are a part of our shared heritage, and are protected using research, education, and sustainable tourism. 

Through scientific research, education, and sustainable tourism, UNESCO Global Geoparks contribute to the protection of our shared heritage and foster a deeper connection between people and the Earth.

These geoparks adopt a bottom-up approach and combine conservation efforts with sustainable development, informal education, and active involvement of local communities. 

Five UNESCO Global Geoparks That Turned 10

Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark, China

The Global Geopark is located in the Wulingyuan district of Zhangjiajie city in the Hunan province of China. The integrated geopark features sandstone peak forest landforms covering most of its area. They are considered to be unique for their height and composition. The rest of the area is covered with karst caves, water bodies, and other landforms. It acquired the status of a global geopark in 2015.

Yuntaishan UNESCO Global Geopark, China

The Yuntaishan UNESCO Global Geopark of China is located north of Jiaozuo City, in the southern foothills of Taihang Shan Mountains. It is said that here, visitors encounter a spring every three steps, a waterfall every five steps, and a pond every 10 steps. It also has the country’s longest waterfall. The Yuntaishan waterfall is 314 m long.

Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark, Slovenia

Home to the second largest mercury mine in the world, the Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the western part of Slovenia, at the junction of the Dinarides and Alps mountain ranges. This has resulted in a rich geo-heritage of deep gorges where a variety of rocks have been discovered in mineral and fossil deposits.

Styrian Eisenwurzen UNESCO Global Geopark, Austria

Located in the north of the Austrian province of Styria is the largest nature park of Styria. Styrian Eisenwurzen UNESCO Global Geopark is a part of the Northern Calcareous Alps that constitute the northernmost mountain chain of the Eastern Alps.

Mountains up to 1000m, broad valleys of the main rivers Enns and Salza, and deep gorges of its tributaries dominate the landscape at the Styrian Eisenwurzen Global Geopark.

Rinjani-Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark, Indonesia

The Rinjani-Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark is located on the island of Lombok in Southeast Asia. It is a UNESCO Global Geopark that has a rich and diverse landscape with forest types ranging from savannahs and semi-deciduous forests to lower montane evergreen forests and tropical montane evergreen forests.

Lombok is located as a part of the Lesser Sunda Islands or Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara, and is located between Bali and the Lombok Strait to the west and Sumbawa and the Alas Strait to the east.